Range of free and low-cost courses include finances, gardening, health, technology and more
Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs that aim to assist people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
CURE offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University/Senior Planet, Reading Skills and Adult Education programs.
CURE is now enrolling for the following offerings:
Adult Ed/Senior U: Protect Yourself: Fraud Prevention
12-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 26
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: March 11
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Centier Bank for a comprehensive financial education session designed for adults of all ages. This informative presentation will cover crucial topics such as fraud prevention strategies, steps to take if you become a victim of fraud, how to begin the recovery process and real-world examples of common fraud schemes. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge to protect their finances and enhance their overall financial well-being.
Register with the link above or call 219-980-6978.
Senior Planet: Understanding Internet Plans
10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, March 27
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: March 19
Free and open to adults ages 60+
In this lecture, we will break down the different parts of a home internet plan so that you can choose the best option for your household. We will go over important terminology, from hotspot to bandwidth. Participants will learn about the best internet speeds for different kinds of activities, from emailing to gaming. We will also discuss tips for talking with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and for saving money on your bill.
IUN Community Garden: Permaculture 101
12-1 p.m., Friday, March 28
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: March 26
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Rebecca Koetz, Purdue Extension Educator - Urban Agriculture, and learn the basics of permaculture and how to implement permaculture principles and practices on your property. Permaculture combines sustainable and regenerative agriculture and community practices, using closed-loop systems and working with nature. Topics covered include permaculture designs, permaculture zones, principles and terminology.
Senior Planet: MyChart
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Monday, March 31
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: March 23
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Has your doctor or healthcare provider ever mentioned MyChart? Come learn about this electronic health-record portal that works both in a web browser and app. We’ll go over how MyChart can help you keep all your health information in one place, communicate with your providers and have a virtual visit. You’ll also learn about the portal’s privacy and security features.
Senior University: Smartphones II for Androids
2-4 p.m., Tuesdays, April 1-15
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: March 18
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you have mastered sending text messages and making phone calls on your Android and are ready for the next level of smartphone usage, then register today for this three-part series! In these sessions, Brittany Taylor will teach participants how to scan and send documents, copy and paste and lock your private photos.
Adult Ed/Senior U: The Empowered Caregiver: Communicating Effectively
12-1:15 p.m., Thursday, April 3
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadlines: March 23 for in-person, April 1 for Zoom
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Linda Curley, Purdue Extension Educator and Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator, for the third presentation in the Empowered Caregiver education series. This series teaches caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia. This session will discuss how dementia affects communication and will include tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals.
Senior University: Smartphones II for iPhones
2-4 p.m., Thursdays, April 3-17
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: March 20
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you have mastered sending text messages and making phone calls on your iPhone and are ready for the next level of smartphone usage, then register today for this three-part series! In these sessions, Brittany Taylor will teach participants how to scan and send documents, copy and paste and lock your private photos.
Adult Ed/Senior U: Homeownership Seminar
12-1:30 p.m., Friday, April 11
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadlines: March 30 for in-person, April 9 for Zoom
Free and open to adults of all ages
If you would like to better understand the home buying process and how you can build long-term wealth through homeownership, then this is the session for you! Centier Bank representatives will discuss what you need to know as a potential homebuyer, including credit and debt to income ratios, financing options and eligibility, government programs and grants for first-time homebuyers and how community reinvestment initiatives can improve homeownership accessibility.
Please note that a recording of this session will not be made available.
Register with the link above or call 219-980-6978.
Senior Planet: Mindfulness Apps
12-1:15 p.m., Friday, April 18
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: April 8
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware. You can practice mindfulness through simple activities. This lecture introduces mindfulness and its physical and mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving memory and lowering blood pressure. You’ll learn about popular apps that teach breathing and meditation techniques, as well as new technology like wearable breath monitors and smart yoga mats.
Senior Planet: Healthcare & Tech at a Glance
2-3:15 p.m., Monday, April 21
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: April 13
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Curious how recent technological advances have changed healthcare? In this lecture, we’ll explore how doctors are using cutting-edge tech, like AI and smart devices, to diagnose, monitor and treat medical conditions. We’ll also discuss how patients can use technology to manage and improve their health. We’ll cover how to prepare for and what to expect from telehealth appointments, common healthcare wearables and best practices for using AI for medical information.
Senior Planet: Cloud Storage
10-11:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 22
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: April 13
Free and open to adults ages 60+
In this lecture, you’ll learn the basics of cloud storage — a technology that lets you store documents, images and other media files remotely while giving you greater accessibility, reliability and protection for your important data. We’ll discuss what it is, why it’s the future of data storage and demonstrate a few of the most popular services currently available to consumers.
Senior Planet: MyChart
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 23
In-person at Whiting City Hall
Registration deadline: April 15
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Has your doctor or healthcare provider ever mentioned MyChart? Come learn about this electronic health-record portal that works both in a web browser and app. We’ll go over how MyChart can help you keep all your health information in one place, communicate with your providers and have a virtual visit. You’ll also learn about the portal’s privacy and security features.
Senior Planet: Understanding Internet Plans
10:30-11:45 a.m., Thursday, April 24
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: April 15
Free and open to adults ages 60+
In this lecture, we will break down the different parts of a home internet plan so that you can choose the best option for your household. We will go over important terminology, from hotspot to bandwidth. Participants will learn about the best internet speeds for different kinds of activities, from emailing to gaming. We will also discuss tips for talking with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and for saving money on your bill.
Senior Planet: Intro to Estate Planning Resources & Tools
1-2:15 p.m., Monday, April 28
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: April 20
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Estate planning may sound intimidating or that it requires a lot of resources. Creating an estate plan just means making sure that your health, finances and anything you own is handled according to your wishes. In this case, a simple plan is better than no plan! In this lecture, you will get an overview of some common documents found in an estate plan. We will also cover free or low-cost resources and digital tools to help you get started with a simple estate plan.
IUN Community Garden: Companion Planting
12-1:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 29
Zoom meeting
Registration deadline: April 27
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Dolly Foster, Indiana Accredited Horticulturist, to learn about companion planting, the age-old practice of placing plants together in the garden so they benefit each other. Companion Planting helps the garden fight off garden pests naturally by deterring pest infestation. This presentation will focus on companion planting for vegetables and herbs.
Senior Planet: Introduction to AI
1-2:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 30
In-person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: April 22
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Curious about AI? Want to know more about Chat GPT? This lecture will introduce some of the basic concepts around artificial intelligence. We’ll talk about how AI is being used today, what its current limitations are and how it will shape the future!
Public Showcase: Preserving History through Multimedia Art
6-8 p.m., Friday, May 2
In-person at IU Northwest
RSVP by May 1
Free and open to adults of all ages
All members of the campus and community are invited to join CURE for a showcase of the amazing multimedia art created by participants in the Senior University: Preserving History through Multimedia Art classes. During the classes, participants learned the basics of color theory, video editing, audio editing, graphic design as well as how to utilize Canva, a free online design platform.
These skills were used to create a multimedia work of art, which participants will present at this showcase. The classes were taught by Jessica Renslow, multimedia specialist and award-winning writer/filmmaker.
These activities are made possible in part by South Shore Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Reading Skills Programs
Schedule and cost vary
Programs for all grade levels
Reading Skills Program: Enroll
Offered in partnership with the Institute of Reading Development, these programs are specifically designed to give students the skills, motivation and individual support they need at each grade level. Students attend weekly classes that build skills and provide great experiences with terrific books. Between classes, students practice reading and complete fun, interactive lessons that develop core skills and build confidence.
Adult Education: Fundamental Courses
24/7 Access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens
Fundamental Courses: Enroll
Online fundamental courses are informative, fun and convenient. Fundamental courses include instructor-led courses and self-paced tutorials. Instructor-led courses run for six weeks with monthly start dates and feature an instructor-moderated discussion board allowing you to interact with your classmates. Self-paced tutorials are designed for completely independent learning, without instructor moderation, and can be started at any time. Complete any course entirely from home, at any time of the day or night. Popular courses include Speed Spanish, Accounting Fundamentals, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, and A to Z Grant Writing.
Adult Education: Career Training Programs
24/7 Access; Start at any time
Cost varies; Courses for adults
Career Training Programs: Enroll
The online, open-enrollment Career Training Programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations. Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, encouraging, and motivating you to succeed.
Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Cost varies; Courses for adults
Comprehensive Career Tracks: Enroll
These online Career Track programs offer students an opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of professions—from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in a self-paced format and offer opportunities for national certification, externship placement and/or career support.
About IU Northwest
One of seven campuses of Indiana University, IU Northwest is located in metropolitan Northwest Indiana, approximately 30 miles southeast of Chicago and 10 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Park. The campus has a diverse student population of approximately 3,500 degree-seeking students and 1,800 dual-credit students and has been recognized by the Department of Education as a minority and Hispanic serving institution. The campus offers Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master’s degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Business and Economics, the School of the Arts, and the School of Education. The campus is also host to IU School of Medicine-Northwest-Gary, the region’s only four-year medical doctorate program. As a student-centered campus, IU Northwest is committed to academic excellence characterized by a love of ideas and achievement in learning, discovery, creativity, research, and community engagement. Indiana University Northwest is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. The University actively encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups.
